Savannakhet Multi Entry. Change permission to stay

[Wongkitlo]

Hi. I have a Savannakhet multibentry non o married to a Thai. I am hoping I can go to the office and change it to a single entry long stay visa before it expires 1st May. I can put the 400,000 baht in the bank. I want to leave the country on the 21st May for 2 months but understand I can get a re-entry permit at the airport, and then go to immigration and again show the 400,000 baht balance. Thanks for any help.

[DrJack54]

2 minutes ago, Wongkitlo said:

I have a Savannakhet multibentry non o married to a Thai. I am hoping I can go to the office and change it to a single entry long stay visa before it expires 1st May.

You would not be obtaining a single entry Non O.

You could apply for a 12 month extension based on marriage.

That would require 400k seasoned for 2 months.

Also has an under consideration period.

Have you obtained 60 day extension "to visit wife".

Keep in mind that you can reenter Thailand visa exempt and obtain a single entry Non O at local immigration office. 

That would require 400k in bank on day of application.

Subsequently you could obtain 12 month extension. 

[Wongkitlo]

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

You would not be obtaining a single entry Non O.

You could apply for a 12 month extension based on marriage.

That would require 400k seasoned for 2 months.

Also has an under consideration period.

Have you obtained 60 day extension "to visit wife".

Keep in mind that you can reenter Thailand visa exempt and obtain a single entry Non O at local immigration office. 

That would require 400k in bank on day of application.

Subsequently you could obtain 12 month extension. 

Thank you Dr Jack. If I apply for the 12 month extension based on marriage does the money need to be in the bank for 2 months before application or can the money just stay there during the under consideration period?

I did not realise I could get a single entry Non o in Thailand,. I thought it had to be outside. Thank you for info. 

[DrJack54]

20 minutes ago, Wongkitlo said:

Thank you Dr Jack. If I apply for the 12 month extension based on marriage does the money need to be in the bank for 2 months before application or can the money just stay there during the under consideration period?

20 minutes ago, Wongkitlo said:

I did not realise I could get a single entry Non o in Thailand,. I thought it had to be outside. Thank you for info. 

 

To apply for 12 month extension of stay based on marriage you require the 400k in bank for 2 months prior to application.

That application will then have an under consideration period (perhaps a month).

The funds should remain in the account till final stamp is entered.

Depending on immigration office you would/may  also have a home visit.

 

The thing with annual extensions based on marriage is that travel during this time can be problematic due to home visit.

 

I did not examine your dates...expiry and planned trip to check if feasible.

As mentioned the 60 day extension to visit wife could be used to buy time and push back the extension date application.

 

Plan B: Yes if after your trip you enter Thailand visa exempt you could obtain a Non O marriage at your local immigration office and then obtain 12 month extension. 

That process is explained here and that thread has links to similar thread.

Take note of TM87 form required.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1315828-visa-exempt-to-90-day-non-o-spouse-visa-conversion-in-thailand/

 

[steve187]

does your actual visa expire on 21st may, or the latest 90 day permission to stay stamp you received on entry into Thailand'

 

another option would be another visa from savannakhet

[DrJack54]

4 minutes ago, steve187 said:

does your actual visa expire on 21st may, or the latest 90 day permission to stay stamp you received on entry into Thailand'

Good point. Overlooked that.

If the visa expires May 21 ...he could exit/reenter Thailand for another 90 day stamp prior to May 21

May be possible to complete his trip in that time.

Obviously would need a reentry permit 

[Wongkitlo]

2 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

To apply for 12 month extension of stay based on marriage you require the 400k in bank for 2 months prior to application.

That application will then have an under consideration period (perhaps a month).

The funds should remain in the account till final stamp is entered.

Depending on immigration office you would/may  also have a home visit.

 

The thing with annual extensions based on marriage is that travel during this time can be problematic due to home visit.

 

I did not examine your dates...expiry and planned trip to check if feasible.

As mentioned the 60 day extension to visit wife could be used to buy time and push back the extension date application.

 

Plan B: Yes if after your trip you enter Thailand visa exempt you could obtain a Non O marriage at your local immigration office and then obtain 12 month extension. 

That process is explained here and that thread has links to similar thread.

Take note of TM87 form required.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1315828-visa-exempt-to-90-day-non-o-spouse-visa-conversion-in-thailand/

 

 

[Wongkitlo]

Thank you for the concise explanation. 😁

[Wongkitlo]

2 hours ago, steve187 said:

does your actual visa expire on 21st may, or the latest 90 day permission to stay stamp you received on entry into Thailand'

 

another option would be another visa from savannakhet

The visa expires 1st May so would do a border run /holiday before then. If I applied for a 12 months extension before then a border run would not be needed. I understood ME at Savannakhet was not available anymore.  Thanks for your help. 

[Wongkitlo]

2 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

To apply for 12 month extension of stay based on marriage you require the 400k in bank for 2 months prior to application.

That application will then have an under consideration period (perhaps a month).

The funds should remain in the account till final stamp is entered.

Depending on immigration office you would/may  also have a home visit.

 

The thing with annual extensions based on marriage is that travel during this time can be problematic due to home visit.

 

I did not examine your dates...expiry and planned trip to check if feasible.

As mentioned the 60 day extension to visit wife could be used to buy time and push back the extension date application.

 

Plan B: Yes if after your trip you enter Thailand visa exempt you could obtain a Non O marriage at your local immigration office and then obtain 12 month extension. 

That process is explained here and that thread has links to similar thread.

Take note of TM87 form required.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1315828-visa-exempt-to-90-day-non-o-spouse-visa-conversion-in-thailand/

 

Thank you for your concise  explanation 

[Wongkitlo]

2 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Good point. Overlooked that.

If the visa expires May 21 ...he could exit/reenter Thailand for another 90 day stamp prior to May 21

May be possible to complete his trip in that time.

Obviously would need a reentry permit 

Thanks. I did not realize a re-entry permit was possible with a Multi Entry visa. 

[DrJack54]

35 minutes ago, Wongkitlo said:

Thanks. I did not realize a re-entry permit was possible with a Multi Entry visa. 

The ME Non O is a visa with a validity of 1 year. You can enter Thailand and will be given 90 day stamp every entry while visa is valid.

By exiting Thailand and reenter just prior to expiry of Visa you will be given a 90 day stamp.

Once visa (not the stamp) has expired you would need to obtain a reentry permit to exit and reenter Thailand. 

 

You have most likely read previously that a ME Non O can provide stay of almost 15 months.

That's due to what is outlined above

[Wongkitlo]

Thank you

[Wongkitlo]

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

The ME Non O is a visa with a validity of 1 year. You can enter Thailand and will be given 90 day stamp every entry while visa is valid.

By exiting Thailand and reenter just prior to expiry of Visa you will be given a 90 day stamp.

Once visa (not the stamp) has expired you would need to obtain a reentry permit to exit and reenter Thailand. 

 

You have most likely read previously that a ME Non O can provide stay of almost 15 months.

That's due to what is outlined above

I was hoping could ask another question. Steve187 suggested another Savannakhet ME Non O  but from following the forum I thought that option was no longer available.  If possible would consider HCMC also. 

[DrJack54]

8 minutes ago, Wongkitlo said:

Steve187 suggested another Savannakhet ME Non O  but from following the forum I thought that option was no longer available.  If possible would consider HCMC also. 

I haven't seen a report of ME Non O from Laos since e-Visa introduced.

 

Also regards HCMC read first post from @Tod Daniels in this thread 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1334937-is-a-one-year-multi-entry-marriage-visa-still-available-from-hcmc/#elControls_19129277_menu 

 

Thinking your best option in future is to do annual extensions based on retirement.

Obviously requires reentry permit for travel abroad. 

 

[Liquorice]

7 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Also regards HCMC read first post from @Tod Daniels in this thread 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1334937-is-a-one-year-multi-entry-marriage-visa-still-available-from-hcmc/#elControls_19129277_menu 

Tod posted that August 2024 prior to HCMC going e-visa applications 30th Sept 2024.

Like Savannahket who went e-visa applications 1st Jan 2025, the ME Non O is no longer an option.

[Wongkitlo]

5 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

I haven't seen a report of ME Non O from Laos since e-Visa introduced.

 

Also regards HCMC read first post from @Tod Daniels in this thread 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1334937-is-a-one-year-multi-entry-marriage-visa-still-available-from-hcmc/#elControls_19129277_menu 

 

Thinking your best option in future is to do annual extensions based on retirement.

Obviously requires reentry permit for travel abroad. 

 

I actually have a work permit and work for my wife's (read between the lines as Thais own everything) business for high season. I go to Australia for 2 months as the business shuts for 6 months so retirement is not an option. I am mainly trying to avoid having my 400,000 baht tied up for 5 months( now, trip to Australia, 2 months  seasoning) but from reading is not an option. Thank you forcall your help. 

[Liquorice]

2 hours ago, Wongkitlo said:

The visa expires 1st May so would do a border run /holiday before then. If I applied for a 12 months extension before then a border run would not be needed. I understood ME at Savannakhet was not available anymore.  Thanks for your help. 

Just to avoid any confusion, what was the issue date on your Non Imm O visa?
What date did you last enter Thailand?

 

The validity of a visa and the permission of stay are different and some do confuse the issue, hence I ask the above two questions.

[Wongkitlo]

17 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

I haven't seen a report of ME Non O from Laos since e-Visa introduced.

 

Also regards HCMC read first post from @Tod Daniels in this thread 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1334937-is-a-one-year-multi-entry-marriage-visa-still-available-from-hcmc/#elControls_19129277_menu 

 

Thinking your best option in future is to do annual extensions based on retirement.

Obviously requires reentry permit for travel abroad. 

 

I am weighing keeping the business open and paying myself an income but the old ME visa made things a lot easier 

[DrJack54]

20 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

The validity of a visa and the permission of stay are different and some do confuse the issue, hence I ask the above two questions

OP, I have asked this question earlier.

You need to clarify for best advice. 

[Wongkitlo]

38 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

Just to avoid any confusion, what was the issue date on your Non Imm O visa?
What date did you last enter Thailand?

 

The validity of a visa and the permission of stay are different and some do confuse the issue, hence I ask the above two questions.

Thanks. I hadn't checked it for a while.  The visa expires 22 April. My last entry was 2 Feb so I will  leave and enter again before the 22nd April. If I converted the multi entry I would do next week but since I don't have the funds seasoned I will go for either reentry permit or visa free then apply for the non o. Thanks

[Liquorice]

3 minutes ago, Wongkitlo said:

Thanks. I hadn't checked it for a while.  The visa expires 22 April. My last entry was 2 Feb so I will  leave and enter again before the 22nd April. If I converted the multi entry I would do next week but since I don't have the funds seasoned I will go for either reentry permit or visa free then apply for the non o. Thanks

Options.

As your permission of stay expires on May 1st, and you state you intend to leave for 2 months on 22nd May, then as an alternative rather than exit/re-enter for a further 90 day stay, you could just apply for a 60 day extension at Immigration based on Thai spouse. I assume you married in Thailand?

 

7 hours ago, Wongkitlo said:

I want to leave the country on the 21st May for 2 months

As it's your intention to visit Australia for 2 months, I would be tempted to just apply for the 60 day extension.

 

Regarding staying long term in the future, you can apply for a 12-month extension of stay based on Thai spouse.
The financial requirement is 400K THB deposited in a Thai bank account in your sole name for 2 months prior to the date of application. 
You must have a non Imm O type visa to apply for the 12 month extension.
On application, you will receive a 30-day under consideration stamp.
Once the application is approved, you can withdraw and use the full 400K THB.

Repeat the following year.

 

When you intend to return to Thailand, you have the option of applying for a new Non Imm O single entry visa from the Thai Embassy.
On entry, this will grant a stay of 90 days.
When the 400K THB funds have been seasoned for 2 months you can apply directly for the 12 month extension based on Thai spouse.
Alternatively, you could enter visa exempt and apply for the Non O at your Immigration office. (Requires at least 15 days permission of stay remaining).
For the Non O application, the 400K THB only needs to be in your Thai bank account on the day of application.
You are granted a further stay of 90 days.
Then apply for the 12-month extension when the funds have been seasoned for 2 months.

 

It may assist if you can state which Immigration office you use.

 

 

[DrJack54]

25 minutes ago, Wongkitlo said:

I hadn't checked it for a while.  The visa expires 22 April. My last entry was 2 Feb so I will  leave and enter again before the 22nd April.

OK...That plan will work and you will be stamped in for 90 days when you enter Thailand prior to April 22.

That can also be extended by 60 days to visit wife.

You will require a reentry permit for trips abroad after Visa expires (April 22).

Ongoing consider annual extensions.

You do realize that the 400k can be used after final stamp for annual extension.